Liverpool are looking to move four matches unbeaten and extend their lead in the top four as the race for Champions League qualification heats up. The Reds have won two and drawn one after overcoming the mid-season difficulty which derailed their Premier League title defence.
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They travel to Fulham on Sunday with the chance to create a six-point buffer from themselves and nearest challengers Chelsea and Manchester United. The managerless Londoners travel to title hopefuls Manchester City and the Red Devils are away from home as they take on Leeds United.
Craven Cottage has been a tricky hunting ground for Liverpool in recent years. The Reds have won just one in their last five trips to the Cottagers, their last win coming in April 2024 when Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota were on target in a 3-1 triumph. Last time out, Liverpool lost 3-2 to Marco Silva’s side despite Alexis Mac Allister putting the visitors in front.
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Pressure is building on Arne Slot as complaints of uninspiring performances emerge in light of a tepid goalless draw with Leeds United. The Dutchman has limited options at the back following the season-ending injury to Giovanni Leoni but there are further problems across the pitch.
Speaking ahead of the game, the Liverpool head coach said: “I think it is clear and obvious that we hardly concede chances any more.
“At this moment in time, against the opponents we had in the last seven or eight games, but for me it is also clear and obvious that we find it quite hard to generate enough chances for all the ball possession we have and that is not new for us this season.
“What the players try to do is they keep on trying, they bring the ball towards the wingers, they make inside runs, they play and move, they do all the things.
“But sometimes you need a kind of magic to unlock a game or a set-piece and if that then happens then all of a sudden everything looks much nicer but that is not our season until now.
“Yes [fourth is fair] although the margins are small. So that could have influenced us having three, four, five, six more points, maybe.”
Here, the Liverpool ECHO takes a look at the players who are expected to miss Liverpool’s clash with Fulham.
Florian Wirtz
Liverpool are carefully managing Florian Wirtz’s workload after fears of a hamstring injury. The German playmaker has enjoyed a turnaround of form for the Reds after his £116m move but was sacrificed after 66 minutes against Leeds.But Slot has sparked doubts over Wirtz’s inclusion for the trip to the capital. He said: “If anyone was like ‘Hmm, why does he take Florian off [vs. Leeds]?’, two days after the game [against Wolves] he felt his hamstring still too much, so that’s why he couldn’t train.“He only trained [on Wednesday]. With other games coming up for me that was too much of a risk if you don’t have so many players available with Premier League experience.”(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury which required surgery. The Italian is likely to miss the remainder of the season after the issue he picked up on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup. The summer signing issued a defiant message as he looks to return stronger. He said: “The hardest part is over. I’m doing rehab, I’m in the swimming pool, the gym. “For a footballer, an injury like this can be the most difficult moment of his career but now I just want to train my head to come back stronger than before.“I think that’s the key thing: the head can do most of the work.”(Image: PA)
Alexander Isak
Liverpool will be without Alexander Isak as he recovers from the injury that he suffered against Tottenham Hotspur before Christmas.The Swede required surgery on an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture. Isak will be back before the end of the season but he will be out for an extended period after already missing three matches with the issue.(Image: Getty Images)
Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo has been out of action since his cameo appearance against Leeds United at the beginning of December but the Japanese international will remain sidelined. An ankle injury restricts the midfielder from being included in Slot’s squad. After nearly a month on the sidelines, he is yet to return to the fold.Slot confirmed: “I expect Joe to train with us tomorrow (Friday), and Wata not yet.”(Image: Getty Images)
Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez is nearing closer to a return to full fitness but the trip to Craven Cottage will come too soon for the defender.The England stopper has been sidelined since he was forced off in the first-half of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in mid-December.Gomez has suffered recurring injury issues that have added to the Reds’ depleted defensive options but Slot has confirmed that he was expected to return to training on Friday. However, due to his problems, it is unlikely to see him thrust back into the fold. (Image: Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah will miss the match against Fulham due to his involvement with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.Egypt’s campaign continues tomorrow (January 5) when they take on Benin in the Round of 16 knockout stages.Should the Pharaohs be eliminated, it will accelerate Salah’s return but he would still be a doubt for the trip to Arsenal on Thursday. Egypt are overriding favourites and if they progress, they will be in quarter-final action on January 10 before the semi-finals and final are played on January 14 and January 18, respectively.(Image: AP)
Fulham injury news
Marco Silva could be without seven players for the visit of the Premier League champions.Among those are the three scorers from their 3-2 win over Liverpool in April. Rodrigo Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon are out with thigh injuries while Alex Iwobi is involved with Nigeria at Africa Cup of Nations. Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze (both AFCON) and Kenny Tete (thigh) are out, with Joshua King a doubt after picking up a knee injury.(Image: Getty Images)
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